Islam
Makhachev prefers a move up to welterweight over a clash
against featherweight champ Ilia
Topuria.

Makhachev is scheduled to defend his lightweight title against
Arman
Tsarukyan at UFC 311
on Jan. 18 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. In recent times, the
Dagestani has been vocal about a move up to welterweight for a
double-champ bid.

Meanwhile, Topuria is contemplating a move up to lightweight after
defending his featherweight title only once. However, Makhachev
isn’t interested in fighting Topuria with very little to gain.
While it could potentially be a mega payday for Makhachev, the
lightweight champ is more interested in a second title. Makhachev
believes he is more likely to fight the winner of Belal
Muhammad vs. Shavkat
Rakhmonov , which is expected to be the next title fight at
welterweight.

“I think the [winner of Belal vs. Shavkat]. Because Topuria not
make sense,” Makhachev recently told Shakiel Mahjouri. “For what?
For belt, or what, money? I have money. I don’t need. I need the
second belt.”

Makhachev’s first two title defenses were against then
featherweight champ Alexander
Volkanovski. Makhachev has since defended his strap against
Dustin
Poirier via fifth-round submission at UFC 302 in June 2024.
While Makhachev wants to move up to 170 pounds, he has also made
clear that it’s unlikely to happen if Muhammad remains champ due to
their close relationship.

Meanawhile, Topuria won the title with a knockout win over
Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February last year and defended it by
knocking out Max
Holloway for the first time ever at UFC 308 in October. “El
Matador” has cited a lack of fresh contenders when making a case
for moving up to lightweight. However, with contenders like
Movsar
Evloev and Diego Lopes
waiting the wings, it’s possible that the Spaniard will not vacate
his throne immediately.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger